Advice please: son doesn't want to wear HAs

[sallylou]

I understood your position, Grendel. The post that I was referring to was subsequently edited. Funny that.

 

[posts from hell]

Hmm, you do realize that most of the 'evil' hearing parents here (and the evil medical professionals) are saying they don't find FM systems to be the cat's pajamas based on what the kids have told them, right? Are you suggesting we shouldn't be listening to our kids and ought to instead force them to use FM systems for all uses despite the drawbacks we've encountered?

You're doing it again, Grendel....

Just remember, I said "what hearing parents think". I implicated nothing further. We'll keep that in mind.

 

[deafbajagal]

I just wanted to say this isn't entirely correct. There are typically at least two settings on the FM. One where it's mic only, and another with mic+ backround noise. In other words, the student isn't cut off from sound they would otherwise have access to unless the FM was set to mic only.

I'm not thrilled about the FM system, but my son does benefit from using it. It's certainly not going to guarantee access to all speakers though, just helps with the one actually wearing the mic.

If you read my thread carefully, you will see that I said a lot , not all, background noises are eliminated. Yes, there is an optional switch for background noises with some FM systems, but often it is not beneficial because it picks up the air conditioning, pencils being sharpened, humming of computers, etc. which can interfere with the child's listening skills during instruction. Thus, it's moot.

Hearing kids, especially those with attention deficit disorders often benefit from soundfield systems. Personally, I rather have a soundfield system instead of personal FM systems if I were to use it.

 

[CSign]

I just wanted to say this isn't entirely correct. There are typically at least two settings on the FM. One where it's mic only, and another with mic+ backround noise. In other words, the student isn't cut off from sound they would otherwise have access to unless the FM was set to mic only.

I'm not thrilled about the FM system, but my son does benefit from using it. It's certainly not going to guarantee access to all speakers though, just helps with the one actually wearing the mic.

Sallylou- must you be so intentionally contentious?
You know full well I didn't substantially change my post, I added the bolded part to further clarify. I don't appreciate your implication. Also, I wasn't addressing what DBG experienced personally, I was speaking to the use of FM system in general.

 

[Jazzberry]

We've never used hearing loops or FM with Lotte in the beginning... We tried FM some time ago (see here or here) but the benefit that Lotte might have had was not worth the trouble. Later the school installed microphones in the classroom (see here) and that works fine. Also for the rest of the class.

<snip>

I read the link to the sound-system. It's great that the school was willing to install it and that there are enough mics for half the class.

Do the students share the mics and really use them?

How many mics did the school get? I think another way of asking the question is -- how many FM channels does the system have?

 

[CSign]

Somehow, the reality and enormous implications of this had escaped me until just now as I read through the thread for the nth time.

Deafbajagal- I think you know I wasn't addressing what you personally experienced. The quote I pulled earlier by you is the same quote that Rivenoak was responding to above.

I wanted the op to be clear that the FM system doesn't automatically cut off all backround noise/prevent the hearing aid from functioning "normally" (i.e. Not allowing any sound through but the one wearing the mic).

If the FM system were to only function in that capacity I doubt it would be used as much as it would be even more restrictive than not using it.

 

[posts from hell]

Deafbajagal- I think you know I wasn't addressing what you personally experienced. The quote I pulled earlier by you is the same quote that Rivenoak was responding to above.

I wanted the op to be clear that the FM system doesn't automatically cut off all backround noise/prevent the hearing aid from functioning "normally" (i.e. Not allowing any sound through but the one wearing the mic).

If the FM system were to only function in that capacity I doubt it would be used as much as it would be even more restrictive than not using it.

You know or think? Just curious.

 

[deafskeptic]

If you read my thread carefully, you will see that I said a lot , not all, background noises are eliminated. Yes, there is an optional switch for background noises with some FM systems, but often it is not beneficial because it picks up the air conditioning, pencils being sharpened, humming of computers, etc. which can interfere with the child's listening skills during instruction. Thus, it's moot.

Hearing kids, especially those with attention deficit disorders often benefit from soundfield systems. Personally, I rather have a soundfield system instead of personal FM systems if I were to use it.

I would think the opposite would be true. I tend to get distracted by both sounds and movements when I'm wearing my CI and I have ADHD.

 

[CSign]

Yes, I tend to trust him as well. He's not a complainer by nature, doesn't cry or fuss when he trips or falls off something. If he says it hurts, it hurts. I'm trying to understand why & remedy it.

As it turns out, he didn't want to go to Speech because it was during recess. Due to the heat, the kids got to stay in and watch "Word World." No 6 year old wants to leave his friends who are having fun time after lunch, especially when they're watching a video. I am very frustrated to learn that, so the school and I will have to talk about what is an appropriate time of the day to do a pull-out.

For my sons IEP, it states that he is to receive speech therapy after school. I had to fight the SD a bit, but they finally agreed. They might say that's "not something they can do" but the fact is they can. That's why it's called an "Individualized Education Program."

Sounds like you're really in tune with your son. Stick to your guns with the school district. Things will all fall into place for him.

 

[Frisky Feline]

Hmm, you do realize that most of the 'evil' hearing parents here (and the evil medical professionals) are saying they don't find FM systems to be the cat's pajamas based on what the kids have told them, right? Are you suggesting we shouldn't be listening to our kids and ought to instead force them to use FM systems for all uses despite the drawbacks we've encountered?

do you always say that kind of stuff to everyone when you are feeling so threatened in general?

 

[deafbajagal]

For my sons IEP, it states that he is to receive speech therapy after school. I had to fight the SD a bit, but they finally agreed. They might say that's "not something they can do" but the fact is they can. That's why it's called an "Individualized Education Program."

Sounds like you're really in tune with your son. Stick to your guns with the school district. Things will all fall into place for him.

Good! There's no reason for him to miss out on school activities while being pulled out for speech. I would do the same.

 

[GrendelQ]

do you always say that kind of stuff to everyone when you are feeling so threatened in general?

Why do you think I feel threatened? I don't. PFH, as he often does, seems to be positioning this conversation as though hearing parents are saying something different from deaf adults when in fact, many of us are saying that our kids are telling us much same thing the adults remember. The only difference is that dbg mentioned FM systems she's encountered that eliminate all but the person on mic, and others have used the kind that can be adjusted to include a variable mix of environmental sounds to the person on the mic. And, perhaps one other difference: we are listening to our kids's feedback.

 

[Frisky Feline]

Why do you think I feel threatened? I don't. PFH, as he often does, seems to be positioning this conversation as though hearing parents are saying something different from deaf adults when in fact, many of us are saying that our kids are telling us much same thing the adults remember. The only difference is that dbg mentioned FM systems she's encountered that eliminate all but the person on mic, and others have used the kind that can be adjusted to include a variable mix of environmental sounds to the person on the mic. And, perhaps one other difference: we are listening to our kids's feedback.

I was not focusing on what dbg's comment between with csign. It seems to me that you take it personally and make comments what it was not necessary to pfh or some of us deafies/hoh. That is where I had to say something that i am not letting thsoe words to treat us. If you use the nice way of commenting then i would not get involved.

 

[CSign]

Why do you think I feel threatened? I don't. PFH, as he often does, seems to be positioning this conversation as though hearing parents are saying something different from deaf adults when in fact, many of us are saying that our kids are telling us much same thing the adults remember. The only difference is that dbg mentioned FM systems she's encountered that eliminate all but the person on mic, and others have used the kind that can be adjusted to include a variable mix of environmental sounds to the person on the mic. And, perhaps one other difference: we are listening to our kids's feedback.

That seems to be an ongoing issue.

 

[posts from hell]

Let's not take this off the thread topic, again.

The topic is rivenoak's kid. It is not about me.

Everything I've posted in this thread is about and for the kid. Must I emphasize again not take everything so personal. Do not allow whatever I say to consume your minds.

My only really point in that post is to listen more to the deaf who experienced the system growing up.
a nice example would be: "I don't think the FM systems necessarily eliminates all environmental sounds because I've heard it" vs 10 deaf people saying "It simply does not work because it is not catered to me like it is catered to the hearing people's ear."
Note: The above is an EXAMPLE. This is not targeted at anyone. That is the very reason I said - listen to the deaf a bit more.
Note II: "A bit more" does not mean "do not listen to any hearing parents at all".
Note III: Please note I said "All is good." in that post.

Like frisky said, why do you guys feel so threatened by that? Is it because I am empowering the deaf? Or is it because you guys don't like my stance of "hearing people are disabled"?

Either way, if you feel that you agreed with the deaf - you shouldn't be feeling so defensive. I did not point any fingers at anyone after all.

Now, that said, BACK ON TOPIC.

 

[rivenoak]

Just a quick check-in...

Both HA are in working order. Oticon sent a new one, so I don't know if the right one had something wrong or not, but they kept it.

It's an FM+mic program.

Audi is leaving the practice; yesterday was her last day. :sad: Not sure if we'll be able to follow her or not. I know we would all like to keep working together; she seems to enjoy the challenge of DS. She's going to call me one night so we can talk about some of the other questions I had.

DS said yesterday he doesn't like wearing the right HA because it's too noisy. So, audi & I talked, then DH and I talked last night, and the kiddo can wear or not wear whatever he wants.

If he wants to wear one HA, great; if he wants to wear two, great; if he wants to wear the FM, great; if he doesn't, great. His choice is fine by us. No bribes, no force.

I'll be in contact w/ teacher & TOD today to advise.

More later...

 

[Bottesini]

Just a quick check-in...

Both HA are in working order. Oticon sent a new one, so I don't know if the right one had something wrong or not, but they kept it.

It's an FM+mic program.

Audi is leaving the practice; yesterday was her last day. :sad: Not sure if we'll be able to follow her or not. I know we would all like to keep working together; she seems to enjoy the challenge of DS.

DS said yesterday he doesn't like wearing the right HA because it's too noisy. So, audi & I talked, then DH and I talked last night, and the kiddo can wear or not wear whatever he wants.

If he wants to wear one HA, great; if he wants to wear two, great; if he wants to wear the FM, great; if he doesn't, great.

I'll be in contact w/ teacher & TOD today to advise.

More later...

That's really great. I predict your son will be much happier and learn better also.

 

[posts from hell]

Just a quick check-in...

Both HA are in working order. Oticon sent a new one, so I don't know if the right one had something wrong or not, but they kept it.

It's an FM+mic program.

Audi is leaving the practice; yesterday was her last day. :sad: Not sure if we'll be able to follow her or not. I know we would all like to keep working together; she seems to enjoy the challenge of DS.

DS said yesterday he doesn't like wearing the right HA because it's too noisy. So, audi & I talked, then DH and I talked last night, and the kiddo can wear or not wear whatever he wants.

If he wants to wear one HA, great; if he wants to wear two, great; if he wants to wear the FM, great; if he doesn't, great.

I'll be in contact w/ teacher & TOD today to advise.

More later...

Nice to hear an update.

 

[ash345]

Just a quick check-in...

Both HA are in working order. Oticon sent a new one, so I don't know if the right one had something wrong or not, but they kept it.

It's an FM+mic program.

Audi is leaving the practice; yesterday was her last day. :sad: Not sure if we'll be able to follow her or not. I know we would all like to keep working together; she seems to enjoy the challenge of DS.

DS said yesterday he doesn't like wearing the right HA because it's too noisy. So, audi & I talked, then DH and I talked last night, and the kiddo can wear or not wear whatever he wants.

If he wants to wear one HA, great; if he wants to wear two, great; if he wants to wear the FM, great; if he doesn't, great.

I'll be in contact w/ teacher & TOD today to advise.

More later...

so happy you are talking with your son, and listening to what he says... what he wants and what he needs... I'm glad you are letting him make the decision... you should start up with asl again... and see if he likes it... if he doesn't... then thats fine... if he does... let him choose his communication style.

 

[Cloggy]

I read the link to the sound-system. It's great that the school was willing to install it and that there are enough mics for half the class.

Do the students share the mics and really use them?

How many mics did the school get? I think another way of asking the question is -- how many FM channels does the system have?

The mics are used even when Lotte is not there... There is 1 mic per 2 children... so they learn to wait, take turn, and with that they listen..
The system is well used..

btw... the mics are connected to loudspeakers in the classroom and to the loop in the classroom... So Lotte will get sound from both...
How many channels.... no idea.